Chapter 14: The Interrogation

Kai found himself back in his world.

The familiar hum of fluorescent lights, the quiet rustle of pages turning in the library, the smell of old books surrounding him—it was all there, unchanged, as if nothing had happened. He blinked in confusion. Was it really just a dream? The cultivation, the sects, the danger—had it all been some wild imagination?

His fingers brushed against a book on the table. The Celestial Eclipse Manual.

A shiver ran down his spine. Why was it here?

Before he could react, a sharp pain exploded across his body. Thousands of needles pierced into his skin, agony blooming in every nerve. His breath hitched as darkness rushed toward him like a tidal wave…

Kai jerked awake, soaked in cold sweat.

He gasped, his breath uneven. The ceiling above him was unfamiliar, yet the warmth of nearby voices grounded him to reality.

"Master! You're awake!"

Two pairs of wide, concerned eyes hovered over him—Liu Yue and Liu Yu. The twins exchanged glances before breaking into matching grins.

"You had us worried sick!" Liu Yu pouted, crossing her arms. "You better not scare us like that again!"

Kai groaned, trying to push himself up, but a sharp pain shot through his chest. Liu Yue placed a firm hand on his shoulder, shaking her head. "Don't move. Elder Kong is coming."

The reality of his situation returned in flashes—breaking through to the Foundation stage… blacking out… pain.

Elder Kong entered, his expression stern yet relieved. "You're fortunate to be alive, Sect Leader."

Kai frowned. "Last I remember, I was meditating… then everything went dark."

"What happened?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

Elder Kong replied grimly. "We found you and an unknown maid sprawled on the floor. Poison needles were embedded in your body, and the maid was carrying a concealed weapon, clearly the source of those needles."

A chill ran through Kai. "An assassin?"

"Yes," Elder Kong confirmed. "You were at the most vulnerable moment of your breakthrough. Your Qi flow reversed due to the poison, causing massive internal damage. It should have killed you instantly."

Liu Yu grinned. "But you're still here! Tough as ever!"

Elder Kong's gaze darkened. "That is because your defensive technique activated instinctively. Before the maid could finish the job, your Celestial Eclipse Technique protected you instinctively, taking her down with you."

Kai's jaw tightened. "So, she failed… and now she's captured?"

Liu Yue nodded. "Liu Yu found both of you unconscious. We secured her immediately."

Kai shifted, wincing at the pain in his ribs. "I want to see her."

Liu Yue immediately frowned. "Why? You're in no condition to interrogate an assassin."

Kai forced a smirk. "I'm curious. I want to see what someone who wants me dead looks like."

Liu Yu tilted her head. "She's tied up, you know. She can't do anything."

Kai nodded. "Then there's no harm. I just want to know why she wants me dead."

Liu Yue still looked uneasy but sighed. "Fine. But if she tries anything—"

Kai held up a weak hand. "I'll let you two handle it."

A cold determination settled in him.

If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to start understanding his enemies.

The Sect's Uproar

The air in the dungeon was damp and thick with the scent of old stone and iron. Torches flickered along the walls, casting eerie shadows over the cells. Kai stepped inside, his footsteps slow but steady. The twins flanked him protectively, their expressions wary.

Outside the dungeon, angry voices filled the courtyard.

"Sect Leader, kill her! She must not be allowed to leave alive!"

"She dared to attempt an assassination within our own walls! She must be made an example of!"

Even the elders, normally composed and wise, had gathered to voice their outrage.

Elder Kong's voice cut through the chaos. "Sect Leader, I implore you. Executing this assassin is not only justice—it is necessary. Mercy will be seen as weakness, and Obsidian Peak Sect is not a sect to be trifled with."

"The other sects will laugh at us," another elder warned. "They will see us as spineless."

Kai's gaze remained steady. "Let me speak with her first."

The elders exchanged uneasy looks but stepped aside.

Yin Shuang sat against the far wall, her wrists and ankles bound by thick iron chains. Even in captivity, she held herself with dignity, her gaze sharp and defiant.

As soon as she saw Kai, her expression twisted into pure loathing. She tore her gaze away from him as if the sight of him was unbearable.

Kai tilted his head, intrigued. "You despise me that much?" he mused.

She refused to answer, staring at the damp floor.

"I just want to know why you tried to kill me," Kai continued, his voice calm, almost casual.

Yin scoffed. "As if you don't know. As if your entire sect isn't built on blood and treachery."

Kai frowned slightly. "I think you'll find that I have no idea what you're talking about."

She laughed bitterly, her voice dripping with hatred. "Of course, the villain pretends innocence. Just kill me and be done with it. I failed my mission. There's nothing else to say."

Kai studied her, his curiosity deepening.

Then, an unexpected sadness settled in his heart.

There was actually someone in this world who hated him.

For as long as he could remember, Kai had never done anything truly wrong to anyone. He had never bullied, betrayed, or harmed another unjustly. Yet here she was, looking at him with the purest hatred.

Why?

Did she truly see him as a monster? A villain?

The elders and disciples waiting outside began chanting. "Kill! Kill! Kill!" Their voices rumbled like a storm.

Kai remained silent for a long moment.

Then, unexpectedly, he smiled.

"No. Let her go."

The uproar was deafening.

"What?!" Liu Yu blurted. "Are you serious?!"

The elders and sect members were furious, shouting in outrage.

"She.. she tried to kill you!" Liu Yue added. "If you let her live, she'll just try again."

Kai shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not. But I want to see what happens."

Elder Kong was skeptical, but he did not protest. The rest of the sect, however, was in an uproar. Rumors of Kai's 'mercy' spread quickly, and many questioned if their new leader was truly fit to rule.

Yet Kai stood firm.

Deep inside, Kai held onto the hope that she would one day change her opinion of him. That she would see that he was not the villain she believed him to be.

Secondly, he wanted to set an example. The Obsidian Peak Sect should not be ruled by mindless violence. He wanted his disciples to learn that power and mercy could coexist.

Yin Shuang was released outside the sect gates, still bound in confusion rather than chains.

She didn't thank Kai. She didn't even look at him.

Instead, she walked away, disappearing into the misty horizon.

As she left, one thought burned in her mind. This is a trick. Some kind of deception. The Obsidian Peak Sect was an evil sect. Their leader was evil. There was no way he would let her go without an ulterior motive.